Murphy the most qualified for Senate

Published 5:18 pm, Wednesday, October 31, 2012

To the editor:

There is no question in my mind that Chris Murphy is the most qualified candidate to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Senate. Chris Murphy has proven himself in the Connecticut state Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. He has a thorough command of the important issues, both domestic and foreign, and would be the more likely senator to get a meaningful committee assignment and the respect of his peers in the U.S. Senate on both sides of the aisle.

I have reviewed the plan that his opponent is shopping and I don't buy it. You simply can't cut taxes at the levels proposed with merely a 1 percent annual reduction in spending and call for a balanced budget while keeping defense and Medicare off the table. This proposed "growth" plan does not have enough specifics. An economist from the University of Connecticut has stated that McMahon's plan would balloon the deficit.

Moreover, the continued onslaught of negative campaign material focused on accusations that have proven to be baseless is embarrassing and not worthy of a serious campaign devoted to issues that matter to Connecticut residents.

Finally, Chris Murphy is on the record supporting issues that particularly affect women and families. His opponent tells Connecticut voters she is pro-choice, but is on the record that she would have supported the Blunt amendment, the most regressive and untenable piece of legislation against women's personal freedoms that would allow any employer to deny women health care, including family planning services.

I am voting for the individual who will best represent all of Connecticut. Please cast your vote for Chris Murphy on November 6.

In the debate on October 10 between Jim Himes and Steve Obsitnik, Himes is quoted as saying: "Mr. Obsitnik just told you that his primary mission will be to defend Israel. My primary mission is the security and peacefulness of the people of the United States of America." This was during the discussion about Iran and whether the U.S. should set a red line in cooperation with our ally, Israel, to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Congressman Himes, why do you think that coordinating our policy on Iran with our ally in the region, Israel, means that one does not put America first? Would you feel that way if we were talking about England and our policies toward Hitler in the 1940s? Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East. Iran is the gravest threat faced today by both the United States and Israel. Why would standing with our ally, Israel, to draw a red line beyond which we would not permit Iran to proceed with the development of nuclear weapons, in any way compromise American security and peacefulness?

It seems to me that it would strengthen and enhance our security as Iran would know that there would be consequences to be faced for proceeding and would hopefully reconsider its course of action. Himes subscribes to the Obama foreign policy, which stands for leading from behind and for putting daylight between the United States and Israel in an attempt to gain credibility with the Arab world. But that will not buy one bit of respite or sanctuary from an Iranian attack on us or on our strategic American assets overseas.

Jim Himes was clearly trying to draw a distinction between his position on Israel and Steve Obsitnik's. But what was he implying about Steve Obsitnik for his support of close cooperation between America and Israel? Is he implying the canard of dual loyalty if one supports a close working and military relationship between America and Israel? It has nothing to do with Congress's power to declare war, as Himes also stated. It is not a declaration of war. It does not put that power in "...the hands of others." But it is a warning to Iran that if they continue on their current path to nuclear weapons while threatening to exterminate Israel from the Earth, they will have to face a united front of America and Israel. Because, make no mistake, they are also coming for us.

I am disturbed and offended by the insinuations in Himes' statements. Those of us who support a strong relationship between the U.S. and Israel do so because it is America's interest. Polling over the years has shown that not only does a majority of Americans agree with this policy but support for it has grown steadily.

I support Steve Obsitnik for Congress. The Fourth District needs a leader in Congress, not a follower who votes 94 percent of the time with Pelosi and Obama. Steve Obsitnik is a good friend of Israel's. I urge my fellow American citizens who support a strong alliance with Israel to vote for Steve Obsitnik on November 6.

I am writing to express my support for Stephanie Paulmeno to serve as state representative from Greenwich.

As state comptroller and the state's former health care advocate, I know first-hand that Stephanie is an effective and informed advocate for health care access and equality for all people, particularly our senior citizens.

Stephanie has made her vital focuses clear -- to fight for pay and wealth acquisition equity for women, particularly single mothers, and to promote economic development, infrastructure revitalization, job creation and innovation in education.

Stephanie truly has the right background and command of issues vital to Greenwich and our state.

Greenwich could not hope to find a better candidate than Stephen Walko for Connecticut's 150th District House seat. While only in his early 40s, Stephen has been actively serving Greenwich for more than 20 years as an RTM and BET member, volunteer fireman, sports coach and more. Stephen cares about Greenwich and is committed to the well being of our community and state.

While serving on the RTM and BET, Stephen demonstrated his ability to identify and focus on the important issues that needed serious attention without letting the whirlwind of the mundane and not-so-important distract him from the things that matter.

It is not easy to balance an active involvement in civic affairs with having a successful career as a partner in a local law firm and being a devoted father and husband. But Stephen does it with the utmost integrity and style.

Make sure to vote for Stephen Walko when you cast your ballot on November 6!